A series of graphic novels hand-picked by Marvel Editorial to showcase pivotal storylines and written and drawn by some of Marvel’s most acclaimed creators, MARVEL SELECT provides readers with a collection of entry points into the Marvel Universe. These stand-alone volumes, which also serve as evergreen adventures about Marvel’s most well-known heroes, are perfect for retailers or librarians looking to create a core title offering for their readers!

While it is sad to report that no brand-new first issues would be heading our way from Marvel Comics this month, I can say with some authority that the “Marvel Legacy” initiative is hitting the racks in a full steam ahead fashion and a score of titles are bringing you into the action in the comforts of home. This post however is one that is designed at getting you outside and over to the nearest theater with a viewing because “Thor: Ragnarok” opens today. Below you can find the official theatrical poster along with the premise and casting. I’ll return with a brief closing editorial thought.

The Premise:
After the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor, held captive on the planet Sakaar without his hammer, must win a gladiatorial duel against an old friend — the Hulk — in order to return to Asgard in time to stop the villainous Hela and the impending Ragnarök, the doom of the Asgardian civilization.

The Cast:
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Cate Blanchett as Hela
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
Karl Urban as Skurge
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk
Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange
Sam Neill is cast in an undisclosed role
Waititi makes a cameo appearance in the film

PiercingMetal Thoughts: For some reason the Thor films in the MCU have not been as “fun” of a ride as some of the other ones and perhaps its because they were taking themselves a little too seriously for some reason. Marvel has shown that elements of humor often work well to propel the narrative and we’ve seen this in both of the Guardians films and most recently in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. I liked what I saw in the teaser trailer and now its only been compounded with added interest. This does this look like a thrill ride and a whole new bunch of characters to keep that MCU expanding make an appearance, there is nothing wrong with that. This will be the perfect closing up for the year of Marvel movies. You readers can let me know what you think down in the comments below. See you next time and don’t forget to hit your local comic shop for a copy of “Thor” #700 which should still be on the stands if you are lucky. Verily, I’ve repeated the cover art below for good measure.

You know her you love her, she is Mary Jane Watson and she has been a part of the Spider-Man Universe for more years than I can remember. This item shares the news about the latest batch of variant covers coming from Marvel Comics because across the month of June, numerous titles will have Mary Jane Watson variants. This set of variants will go together well with the collection of “Gwen Stacy” covers that we discussed almost two years ago on THIS POST. Did you get all of those? Check out the press release along with a number of these awesome covers.

The Press Release:
One of Marvel’s most beloved heroes takes center stage next month – and you’re not going to want to miss it. Fans have already gotten a glimpse of Mary Jane Watson in the Free Comic Book Day issue of Marvel’s upcoming series, Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1, and Marvel has enlisted some of comics’ most acclaimed artists to reimagine the fan-favorite in the shoes of iconic heroes such as Doctor Strange, Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine and more.

“Both the Gwen Stacy Variant Program and this month’s Venomized Variant Program were such runaway successes, we couldn’t help but try to top ourselves,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “And with Chip Zdarsky and Adam Kubert’s new Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man book on the horizon, the timing couldn’t have been better to put the spotlight on fan-favorite Mary Jane Watson.”

Today, Marvel is pleased to reveal a number of the MARY JANE WATSON VARIANTS coming exclusively to comic shops throughout the month of June:

The news about this next set of variant covers hit the media a couple of months ago but I am generally of the mindset that readers don’t remember much about the day before yesterday nowadays much less an announcement from months ago based on all the constant stimulation from the social networks. With comic book stuff like this I’ve found it beneficial to do them as reminders so you can hit the shop a few weeks before and make sure special editions are added to your pull list. That said this next batch features a time honored part of the comic book cover as beautifully rendered by the great Joe Jusko. Check it out.

Press Release:
Face front, True Believers and prepare for the return of the iconic Marvel Corner Boxes! Today, Marvel is pleased to announce a series of over 20 Corner Box Variant Covers, coming to select comics throughout the month of February! All rendered by legendary artist Joe Jusko, these covers feature lush paintings inspired by the classic Marvel corner box artwork of yesterday!

“We’re elated to have Joe Jusko do a series of variant covers based on the classic Marvel corner boxes,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “Joe perfectly recaptures what made that artwork so iconic in the first place, and he’s bringing that sense of gravitas to some brand new Marvel Corner Boxes featuring modern characters like Spider-Gwen, Deadpool and more.”

Marvel is pleased to reveal the first eight Corner Box Variants, coming to these February titles:

Hey there my comic loving friends, I can hardly believe that I am saying this but “Welcome To December!!!” – Yeah we are here and that means that 2016 will soon be making its exit and opening up the door to a brand new year. I’m starting off the month in the usual fashion with our comic book first issue narratives and am going to do the Marvel Comics stuff first this time because there are more new titles launching this month and I want you to have a jump on them for your weekly pull list. As always there are numerous different variant covers available for these titles but some you might have to special request from your shop since I know many don’t stock them all. Other titles are currently running but we are only showcasing the first issues with help from the Marvel Entertainment publicity team. Here we go.

“IVX” #1

IVX #1 (of 6): THIS IS IT! The X-Men and Inhumans have been on a collision course since the link was proven between the Inhumans’ precious Terrigen Mist and the sickness and death of many mutants. When Beast discovers that the mutants have only two weeks before the planet is uninhabitable for them, an Inhuman/mutant war is unavoidable. Co-written by Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans, Daredevil) and Jeff Lemire (Extraordinary X-Men, Moon Knight), IVX delivers sensational set pieces, gargantuan grudge matches, all drawn by the sensational Leinil Francis Yu! Whether you’re for the X-MEN or the INHUMANS, IVX promises to shatter the Marvel Universe as you know it!

Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire (W) • Leinil Francis Yu (A/C)

“U.S. Avengers” #1

U.S.AVENGERS #1: In a world beset by danger, the United States of America needs a team of heroes they can rely on. Welcome to… American Intelligence Mechanics! A.I.M. will dare any danger – no matter how awesome that danger might be – to save their nation from the wildest, weirdest threats of all! The most patriotic super-group ever is here to save the day. And they’ll do it all looking tried and true in the red, white & blue! Can you live without… the U.S.Avengers?